Complex Neurobehavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents
A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Psychology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editors
2. School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Interests: behavioral approaches to the assessment and treatment of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder; caregiver training programs related to accessing and implementing support/treatment services for treatment of autism spectrum disorder; factors effecting treatment adherence; function-based approaches to understanding and treating severe behavior disorders; verbal behavior
2. School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
Interests: applied behavior analysis; intellectual and developmental disabilities; assessment and treatment of severe challenging behavior; workplace safety; quality improvement; caregiver adherence
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We invite professionals specializing in neurobehavioral—a term often interchangeable with neurodevelopmental—disorders to contribute toward the Behavioral Sciences Special Issue, “Complex Neurobehavioral Disorders in Children and Adolescents.” Although differing in etiology, neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders similarly affect one’s communication, learning, socialization, and behavior. Other variables, including co-occurring medical and mental health needs, age, and access barriers, can further complicate care. Symptom presentation complexity affects the individual and those caring for and interacting with them. Some with neurobehavioral disorders live generally autonomous lives. Others have more profound needs and require continuous adult care or supervision.
The Special Issue broadly focuses on quantifying and navigating the complexity of care for neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders. This includes empirical evaluations that target skill acquisition, challenging behavior, and other correlated variables (e.g., safety procedures, psychotropic medication, personal protective equipment) regarding children and adolescents with these disorders. Assessment and treatment approaches might be interdisciplinary. They might also underscore advancements in short- and long-term care. We welcome data-based descriptive papers advancing the understanding of the needs of, inclusion of, access to care by, and public policy regarding these individuals. We also welcome discussion of complex presentations across settings (e.g., hospital, clinic, in-home, or residential) as appropriate.
Original research, translational, replication, review, theoretical or conceptual, and pilot manuscripts are all appropriate.
Dr. Amanda Zangrillo
Dr. Alec Bernstein
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- intellectual and developmental disabilities
- challenging behavior
- functional communication
- vocational training
- public policy
- autism spectrum disorder
- traumatic brain injury
- prenatal alcohol exposure
- interdisciplinary care
- assessment and treatment
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